Lately, much chatter in the media, as well as talk heard ’round my neighborhood, leads to one simple question. Do masks prevent the spread of Coronavirus? The answer is yes. A recent study shows wearing masks could reduce the incidence of Coronavirus by 80% or more. Are masks perfect? No. Do they work really well? Yes.
Do Masks Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus?
Recently Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House Coronavirus response coordinator, emphasized there is “clear scientific evidence” that masks work. On top of that, the Annals of Internal Medicine just published a landmark analysis of 64 studies finding that masks prevent the spread of Coronaviruses and other airborne illnesses.
Half Of Americans Stay Home Due To Coronavirus
The US is plowing ahead with opening businesses to restart the economy. Unfortunately, more than half of Americans don’t yet want to leave their homes to patronize these businesses. One simple way to address this problem is to commit as a country to wearing masks.
Is Coronavirus Spread Through The Air?
Furthering mask initiatives around the US, an esteemed panel of experts from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) stated that because Coronavirus is aerosolized and lingers in the air, masks are a good option for preventing its spread. In their formal letter, the NAS panel let the current administration know that Coronavirus is transmitted not only through sneezing and coughing, but also by speaking and breathing. In effect, the Coronavirus is an airborne disease. This is why masks work, they prevent the virus from being emitted, or sprayed (heavily via sneezing, or lightly by breathing) from infected persons to others. Masks prevent the virus from spreading into and pooling in the air. For this same reason, it’s safer to be outdoors than inside, because in this scenario the virus is dispersed, rather than concentrated. Still, masks are needed both inside and outside to protect our population from infected individuals, prevent its spread, and open up our economy quickly.
Think Of Coronavirus As Glitter
It may help to think of Coronavirus as glitter. A mask is going to stop those who may have COVID-19 from efficiently spreading corona-glitter to others. In a recent article in the Washington Post, Joseph Allen from the School of Public Health at Harvard emphasizes that masks prevent the spread of Coronavirus very effectively. Getting this information out so that more people comply with wearing masks will unite our country around a cheap yet effective initiative that erases the false dichotomy between health and economics because it addresses both with fairly little effort.
What Types of Masks Are Protective Against Coronavirus?
Dr. Harvey Fineberg, head of the NAS committee that sent the letter on the effectiveness of mask use to the current administration, said he would wear a mask to the grocery store, and that among other options, items ranging from a bandana to a balaclava would work well in preventing the spread of Coronavirus. Handpicked by the current administration, Dr. Fineberg leads the NAS Standing Committee Requested by White House in Response to Coronavirus.
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Masks Save Lives
I interviewed Dr. Todd Dorfman, Director of EMS for Boulder County Colorado about the use of masks to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. He states, “Face masks combined with other preventive measures, such as social distancing, help slow the spread of the disease,” adding, “Asking everyone to wear cloth masks can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 by people who have the disease but don’t realize it. Countries that required face masks early in the pandemic seem to have had the best success slowing the disease’s spread.” He pointed out that these countries also used testing far earlier and more frequently than the US at the outset of the pandemic in January.
To Mask Or Unmask
Unfortunately, asking our citizens to do the right thing when it comes to Coronavirus may not be that simple because mask use is now a very heated topic. Here in Colorado, a man walked into a restaurant in Aurora, just outside Denver. He was told he needed to wear a mask to be served. In response, he shot a restaurant employee. Thankfully, we can all agree that this extreme overreaction is not even close to an appropriate response under any circumstances.
Japan Used Masks To Prevent Spread of Coronavirus
On the other hand, an article in Forbes called New Study Shows That This One Thing Could Cause 80% Decrease in COVID-19 Cases, points out that while the US is slowly trying to reopen, Japan didn’t ever really close.
The Land of the Rising Sun has had no lockdown, no stopped subways and most businesses have remained open.
As of this writing, the US has suffered over 100,000 Coronavirus deaths, yet Japan has endured less than 1,000. While Japan’s population is around one-third of ours, they’ve suffered 1% of the deaths incurred here in the US. Why? One reason is that the Japanese have willingly used masks while waiting for a cure.
How To Use A Mask Properly To Prevent Coronavirus Spread
Dr. Dorfman pointed out that The Mayo Clinic has a simple, reasonable set of instructions for putting on and taking off a cloth mask:
- Place your mask over your mouth and nose
- Tie it behind your head or use ear loops and make sure it’s snug
- Don’t touch your mask while wearing it
- If you accidentally touch your mask, wash or sanitize your hands
- Remove the mask by untying it or lifting off the ear loops without touching the front of the mask or your face
- Wash your hands immediately after removing your mask
- Regularly wash your mask with soap and water in the washing machine, it’s fine to launder with other clothes
President Trump’s Surgeon General Recommends Wearing A Mask
It’s true, when there was a shortage, the Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Robins, advised against the use of masks. This was when we were in the initial stages of Coronavirus, unprepared, and perilously short on personal protective equipment (PPE). However, he now not only recommends mask-wearing but has a video demonstrating how to make one.
Why Didn’t Vice President Pence Wear A Mask At The Mayo Clinic
Prior to his visit, the Mayo Clinic briefed the Vice President’s team on their mandatory mask-wearing policy. Unfortunately, he did not comply. During this tragic time with so many lives lost, and little to no way to properly grieve them, it is more important than ever to show patriotism by protecting our medical warriors in any way we can. More people have died in the last 2 months than in the Korean and Vietnam wars combined. We can easily protect our front line heroes at places like the Mayo Clinic with little to no sacrifice. Why not wear a mask in public? Especially when you cannot social distance.
Why Doesn’t President Trump Wear A Mask?
Perhaps this administration thinks it would be a show of weakness to don masks everywhere. However, it’s not too late to lead by example. It would demonstrate inspiring strength and bravery for our highest public officials to wear masks in public.
Will You Wear A Mask To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus?
Do masks stop the spread of Coronavirus completely? No. Are they perfect? No. But let’s not allow perfect to be the enemy of the good. Masks save lives. The important thing is that we don’t let nuances deter us from the most important public causes when it comes to health. Will you wear a mask?
Sheryl says
Hi Elana, Thanks for opening this conversation. It seems that the research is showing that masks are somewhat helpful to people around those wearing masks… more so than being protective for the people who wear them. As you know, people wearing them, especially those who are not used to wearing them, often get a false sense of security and take more risks. And also touch their faces more. And people who wear masks with the one way exhale valve are not protecting the people around them very well. I’m not quite sure what the polite thing is to say though about people wearing masks while they drive alone in their cars. I only hope they are only briefly in their cars, and avoiding taking the mask off and on.
A separate caution about mask using, is that if someone is ill with a viral respiratory infection they are shedding the virus in their saliva and nasal secretions. That is one of our body’s ways of ridding us of the virus… But with a mask on, especially for an extended period (not just protecting people during a medical appointment or procedure, or a brief visit)… the viral shedding is contained and breathed back in. Some virologists and health practitioners have expressed concern that the virus then perhaps ends up more easily or quickly where it is much more dangerous to the sick person. Deep into the lungs or into the brain.
And then there is the research about social distancing, sequestering at home, and shutting down outdoor places. Oh right, there isn’t any research about whether social distancing is helpful in a pandemic. And the vast majority of spreading of COVID-19 seem to be indoors or in public transportation. As well, confinement probably isn’t doing any good for our Vitamin D levels and need for sunshine and fresh air. Open air hospitals have proven helpful for recovery from TB, war wounds, pneumonia and pandemic influenza… https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4504358/
And yes, I carefully and briefly wear a mask on the bus, and in other confined spaces where there are others around — to potentially protect them.
Elana says
Thanks Sheryl, I interviewed a number of doctors about the viral shedding and they said the mask was not an issue. Also, I’m a little confused since the ncbi link you provide says the following: “A combination of fresh air, sunlight, scrupulous standards of hygiene, and reusable face masks appears to have substantially reduced deaths.” Quick question, When we were sequestered at home we took walks every day –were you not allowed to go outside?
Sheryl says
Hi Elana, The Quarantine Act and local Health Authority requirement in Canada was to not leave the property for 14 days. No walks. I was able to go outside because there was private outside space with a few feet of sunshine to enjoy, but people in the apartment complex next door had to stay inside their apartment, and only window opening was possible.
Yes, in that one example in open air hospitals reusable face masks were part of the combination – the keyword I think is combination.
And it is important to realize that reusable face masks mostly protect others, not so much the wearers. And they have downsides for the wearers and everyone, that are are important to consider and we need to know how to wear and use them properly.
I am reminded of the person on the bus who, wearing a reusable mask, then leaned around the plexiglass barrier and over top of me, to shout prolific thanks to the bus driver. Ya thanks for shouting moistly.
And to you, Elana, thank YOU for this labour of love. Your Bread 2.0 recipe is a mainstay in our family, and you inspire me. :-)
Elana says
Thanks so much Sheryl! Great points.
Elvia says
Thank you. I’ve followed you for a while now. Our daughter, now in her final semester to become a nurse, was diagnosed with crohn’s disease when she was 7. We began the SCD (diet) when she entered 6th grade. My husband who was diagnosed with MS in 2016 was diagnosed with Metastatic Colon Cancer 14 months ago — the symptoms mimicked an MS flair — we were wrong. Why do I wear a mask? For him. For you. For those I do not know. It’s not about us. It is about them. And for them, I wear a mask. Thank you for writing this concise and important article. I wish your article could go viral. Thank you.
Elana says
Elvia, thanks for your comment and so sorry your family has suffered so. I take heart in that we are on this healing journey together. Please keep me posted on you and yours.
Sandy says
The fact that you have not approved my comment and deleted other comments not agreeing with your agenda proves the you do have an agenda. I/we thought more of you and your websight. I’m sad that you have fallen for the narrative.
Elana says
Sandy, sorry it took me around an hour to get to your comment. I’ve read every single one on this post and responded to all. Some folks left me links as well in their comments which I went to in order to see the information they gave me, before I responded. Just so you know for the future, it sometimes can take me up to a day to approve/respond to comments, but it doesn’t mean they’re lost or gone. At this moment I have approved 87,963 in total on my website –it’s just me here doing so, no one else. It’s a labor of love, more so in terms of the ones from the people brave enough to disagree with me. Thank you for caring so much, that means a lot to me.
EJ says
My kids stay home most of the time so they aren’t made to wear them. I’d rather they not see the world as a frightening place. My oldest wears it when needed if she and I go walking or to places like the Dr. for her most recent checkup. I personally have to wear one for work and have for years but as much as I do I hate them and can’t wait till they aren’t required any longer. Unfortunately the study done was not performed with home made masks I believe, the size of the viral particles is so small it can easily penetrate the pores of the fabric. I would say there is some protection but unlikely that it would be 80 percent, and that’s only to keep the wearer from spreading it not from catching it. So not perfect but something I guess. Only professionally and properly fit tested n95 masks provide real protection from this virus.
Elana says
EJ, yes to everything you said. The n95s are the only ones that fully protect the wearer.
Jennifer says
I really appreciate this post especially since I work in the hospitality industry and come into contact with a lot of out of state travelers each week at our timeshares. When guests come into the office, I don my mask. When they leave, I take it off and wash my hands. I almost lost my life to mold allergies years ago and truly value the ability to take a breath. I have made several hundreds of masks for local friends, family and employees. It’s like wearing a seatbelt. Some people agree, some people don’t. One saved my life, so I will keep wearing them. If a mask can help prevent those I love and work with from getting ill, it’s worth a little inconvenience. I also did try over a dozen styles of masks before I found my favorite curved front mask. A little extra room in the front of the mask helps if you have breathing issues. Just an FYI. Thanks for the info. Very informative! Be well!
Elana says
Jennifer, agree on the seat belt comparison, it’s the first one that comes to my mind. And kudos to you for experimenting and finding the mask that works best for you.
Joy Pulitzer says
I will definitely wear a mask and so will my husband and grown children – I mean, why not. It doesn’t impact me in a negative way, and if it can help stop the spread of an extremely contagious disease, then, of course. We have a very dear friend who has been on a ventilator for 46 days. She was on an ECMO machine when the vent couldn’t provide the support needed, and, thankfully, now has come off. Fortunately, most cases aren’t this extreme, but we don’t know who it might affect in this way – to me, it’s not worth the risk to not wear a mask.
Thank you for always sharing such relevant information, Elana. I appreciate you very much.
Elana says
Joy, sending hugs to you and Gary and the twins. We miss you!
Monika says
Thanks for putting these cited articles together in one spot. I’ve come across many friends who are highly intelligent scientists, who I have trusted, who are not supporting mask wearing, and I’m just not getting it. They contend that the data about mask wearing is flawed. Is the science about it really all over the place? I mean, just look at Japan, like you say…the proof is in the pudding, that’s all the science I need. I get that we’re not a mask-wearing culture, but if we have to choose between staying inside/keeping things in lockdown and having it spiral into total economic collapse…mask-wearing behavior is a no brainer. And yes, it would be a wise deed to have all of our leaders model that…at all levels, community, state, federal, across both aisles. If we’re looking to shift cultural patterns, it’s important to model at all levels, and by Hollywood too.
Elana says
Monika, here here! Leaders on both sides of the aisle are advocating mask wearing. Sen McConnell is a proponent and so is Fox’s Hannity, it’s not as divisive as it seems, and there really need not be a choice between health and economy –in Japan they have both right at this moment.
Julia says
What a wonderful, positive summary outlining something simple we can all do to show we care about others and not just our own comfort or appearance, whether or not we are told to!
As a frontline provider watching people die every day of this disease unnecessarily, I applaud your effort to highlight the simple humanity involved in this simple act.
You presented impartial facts clearly. Thank you for reaching out to your community to spread this crucial information.
– Dr G
Elana says
Dr. G., thanks for battling on the front lines, we appreciate that you risk your life for us!
Renate says
Renate here from Canada, a fan of yours Elana for all you do to promote health with great recipes! Thanks for taking your stand on maks, Elana. Very courageous of you. And of course you couldn’t think of everything and put everything in your post such as people with health concerns who can’t wear masks not being able to. You’re right; all of us with our opinions form a great society!
Elana says
Renate, yes, all of us with our divergent opinions form this incredible society that we are a part of, so blessed that we are able to share our ideas with each other.
Brenda says
I have needed to use a mask while cleaning out a dusty loft above our shop from time to time. I could never do it so I had to instead do a sinus rinse. I did not know why until I went into a Costco and by the time I left I was shaking as if I was low in protein. I was panicky and didn’t know why. U isles to use an inhaler but haven’t needed for 6 years.
I understand plenty of studies say they are helpful, I also have read studies to the contrary sharing the negative parts of mask wearing, (breathing in your own carbon dioxide, breathing in anything your lungs are trying to get rid of because of normal breathing).
I have been stated down and made to feel like a traitor. A couple comments made it sound like “doing the right thing by wearing a mask” automatically makes the opposite behavior sound wrong and made to feel scolded.
We have lived for centuries, no for thousands of years, now with better and better hygiene so to think we can only now live with a mask because of a virus that has been shown to be more selective than the flu is very short sighted.
It’s deeply offensive to live my life as morally and helpful to my community as I can possibly do have it thrown away because wearing a mask is not good for me. It angers me.
As a society we really don’t want to go down the road of peer pressure of 100 percent conformity because vaccines are coming, and a whole host of other things we can and probably be shamed into as a society.
It’s made our neighbors hate each other and played on our psyche of fear to want to snitch on each other and this is the worst thing that can happen to a community. What is left after hate?
Elana says
Brenda, it sounds like you have a medical condition and that you may not be able to wear a mask. If that’s the case, we are wearing our masks for you and others that cannot.
Terry says
Brenda, thank you for your comments. I agree with you. And I’ve tried to wear a mask during allergy season to mow my lawn and couldn’t. I tried to wear a mask in a store recently. I just can’t breathe. I feel like I’m suffocating. After a number of years of breathing issues, I found out that I have adult-onset asthma last December. I have a scar on one lung and that same area is not “working efficiently.” Breathing in carbon dioxide can damage the lungs. I don’t need any more damage. And I have been “shamed” because of not wearing a mask. It’s frustrating!
Elana says
Terry, no shaming should happen, especially for those of you with medical issues!